Claire C. Laurence/Arizona Daily Wildcat Infielder Jason Donald, pitcher Brad Mills and outfielder Bill Rhinehart are members of this year's elite freshman class.

A lot of freshman athletes sit out much of their first season, watching and learning the ropes of big-time college athletics.

That is, a lot of athletes who don't play for UA head baseball coach Andy Lopez.

"Once you get into the program and get your feet wet, you are no longer considered a freshman. (Lopez) does a good job of recruiting," said freshman shortstop Jason Donald. "He gets his type of player and we all gel together."

Over the last three seasons, the freshman classes for the Arizona baseball program have been full of huge contributors fresh out of high school.

This year's group is no exception. Through the first half of the season, the Wildcats have relied on a core group of freshmen to be productive.

Take Donald, for example. Through 25 games, he leads the team in runs, hits, home runs and RBIs.

Another big first-year player is designated hitter Bill Rhinehart. Rhinehart is currently second on the team in batting average and third in hits, homeruns and RBIs.

"They are doing a tremendous job," Lopez said. "They have gotten clutch hits and played like something other than freshmen."

The Wildcats have relied on youth on the mound as well. Relief pitcher Mark Melancon has provided quality innings in relief appearances.

Melancon has the most appearances of any Wildcat pitcher with 14, and has earned three wins and two losses along with one save in his relief efforts.

"Our expectations (are) the same as everyone else," Rhinehart said. "We need to go out and play well."

Production by the freshman class is nothing new for Lopez.

Last season, Arizona had one of its most productive classes in school history. The freshmen of 2003 produced four Freshman All-Americans.

Infielder Brad Boyer was named to the Baseball America Freshman All-American team while leading the Pacific 10 Conference in stolen bases.

Boyer also led the Wildcats in runs scored, doubles and at-bats.

The Wildcats had three other Freshman All-Americans in outfielders Trevor Crowe and Derek Decater, along with catcher Nick Hundley.

The same held true for Lopez's first freshman group at the UA.

Though he was working with players recruited by former head coach Jerry Stitt, he got good production out of then-first-year players John Hardy, Richard Mercado and Jeff Van Houten.

Hardy led the team with a .328 batting average in 2002 and earned Freshman All-America honors, Mercado started 37 games and Van Houten played in 43 games in a crowded outfield.

This year's freshmen have simply followed in the steps of their predecessors.

"We recruit them (to play)," Lopez said. "We never recruit a kid to say, 'You have to sit and watch'. We tell them, 'If you're the better player, you will play.'"